Systems and methods for high-scale top-down data analysis

ABSTRACT

Systems, methods, and non-transitory computer-readable media are provided for data analysis. A user interface comprising boards corresponding to one or more objects and one or more operations on the input and/or output objects of the boards can be generated for high-scale top-down data analysis.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of U.S.Provisional Application No. 62/856,987, filed Jun. 4, 2019, the contentof which is incorporated by reference in its entirety into the presentdisclosure.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates to user interface, more particularly, to userinterface for high-scale data analysis.

BACKGROUND

Researchers and analysts may need to perform high-scale top-down dataanalysis. Existing technologies fail to provide such functionality withrobust and intuitive graphical user interfaces and operations. Forexample, logical operations which are essential for particular types ofresearch and analysis (e.g., medical research and analysis) are notprovided in traditional solutions.

SUMMARY

A claimed solution rooted in computer technology overcomes problemsspecifically arising in the realm of computer technology. The claimedsolution provides an improvement over existing technologies, forexample, by providing a specific, structured graphical user interfacethat enables high-scale top-down data analysis.

Disclosed herein include embodiments of a system, method, andnon-transitory computer readable medium for performing data analysisand/or generating a user interface for performing data analysis (e.g.,for performing high-scale top-down data analysis and/or generating auser interface for performing high-scale top-down data analysis). Insome embodiments, the system comprises: one or more processors; andmemory storing instructions that, when executed by the one or moreprocessors, cause the system to perform: generating a multi-level boarduser interface comprising a plurality of boards at different displaylevels. A first board of the plurality of boards can comprise an objectboard corresponding to a first object type of a plurality of objecttypes. The plurality of boards can comprise a plurality of operationboards corresponding to a plurality of operations on the plurality ofobject types. Each of the plurality of boards, other than a last board,can be connected, via an inter-board path, to a next board of theplurality of boards. An output object type of each of the plurality ofboards can be an input object type of the next board. An operation boardcan comprise (i) a first element connected, via an intra-board path, to(ii) a second element representing the input object type and the outputobject type of the operation board, respectively. The instructions, whenexecuted by the one or more processors, can cause the system to perform:causing to display the multi-level board user interface.

In some embodiments, the plurality of object types comprises a subjectobject type, an action object type, and a detection object type. Thesubject object type can comprise a patient object type, wherein theaction object type comprises a treatment object type, and the detectionobject type can comprise a diagnosis object type. The plurality ofoperation boards can comprise a filter operation board, a switchoperation board, and an enrich operation board corresponding to theplurality of operations comprising a filter operation, a switchoperation, and an enrich operation. The filter operation board cancomprise one or more filter elements connected, via one or moreintra-filter operation board paths, by one or more logic operations, theswitch operation board can comprise (i) a first switch elementconnected, via an intra-switch operation board path, to (ii) a secondswitch element representing the input object type and the output objecttype of the switch operation, respectively, and/or the enrich operationboard can comprise (i) a first enrich element representing the inputobject type of the enrich operation board connected, via a firstintra-enrich operation board path and a second intra-enrich operationboard path, respectively, to (ii) a second enrich element representing asecond object type and (iii) a third enrich element representing theoutput object type, comprising a virtual object type representing acombination of the input object type of the enrich operation board andthe third object type, of the enrich operation board.

Disclosed herein include embodiments of a system (e.g., for performinghigh-scale top-down data analysis and/or generating a user interface forperforming high-scale top-down data analysis). In some embodiments, thesystem comprises: one or more processors; and memory storinginstructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, causethe system to perform: generating a multi-level board user interfacecomprising a plurality of boards at different display levels, theplurality of boards comprising (i) an object board at a first displaylevel and (ii) a plurality of operation boards each at a differentsecond display level. In some embodiments, the object board correspondsto a first object type of a plurality of object types comprising apatient object type, a treatment object type, and a diagnosis objecttype. In some embodiments, the object board is connected, via a firstinter-board path, to a first operation board of the plurality ofoperation boards. Each of the plurality of operation boards, other thana last operation board, can be connected, via a second inter-board path,to a next operation board of the plurality of operation boards. In someembodiments, an input object type of the first operation board comprisesthe first object type. An output object type of each of the plurality ofoperation boards can be an input object type of the next operationboard. In some embodiments, the plurality of operation boards cancorrespond to a plurality of operations. The plurality of operations cancomprise a filter operation, a switch operation, and an enrichoperation. The plurality of operation boards can comprise a filteroperation board, an enrich operation board, and a switch operationboard. In some embodiments, the filter operation board can comprise oneor more filter elements connected, via one or more intra-filteroperation board paths, by one or more logic operations. The input typeof the filter operation board and the output type of the filteroperation board can be identical. In some embodiments, the switchoperation board can comprise (i) a first switch element representing theinput object type of the switch operation board and (ii) a second switchelement representing the output object type of the switch operationboard. The first switch element and the second switch element can beconnected by a switch link element, via an intra-switch operation boardpath, representing a switch relationship between the input object typeof the switch operation board and the output object type of the switchoperation board. In some embodiments, the enrich operation boardcomprises (i) a first enrich element representing the input object typeof the enrich operation board, (ii) a second enrich element representinga second object type of the plurality of object types, or a combinationthereof, and (iii) a third enrich element representing the output objecttype of the enrich operation board, the output object type of the enrichoperation board comprising a virtual object type representing acombination of the input object type of the enrich operation board andthe second object type. In some embodiments, the first enrich elementand the second enrich element are connected, via a first intra-enrichoperation board path, by an enriching link element representing anenrich relationship between the input object type of the enrichoperation board and the output object type of the enrich operationboard. In some embodiments, the first enrich element is connected, via asecond intra-enrich operation board path, to the third enrich element.The instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, can causethe system to display the multi-level board user interface.

In some embodiments, the object board comprises an object board body.Each of the plurality of operation boards can comprise an operationboard header, an operation board body, and an operation board footer.The multi-level board user interface comprises the object board andoperation boards of the plurality of operation boards that are arrangedvertically, horizontally, or a combination thereof.

In some embodiments, the instructions, when executed by the one or moreprocessors, cause the system to perform: receiving a user selection ofthe first object type. The instructions, when executed by the one ormore processors, can cause the system to perform: receiving a userselection of each of the plurality of operations corresponding to theplurality of operation boards.

In some embodiments, the instructions, when executed by the one or moreprocessors, cause the system to perform: generating an initial userinterface comprising (i) the object board at the first display levelconnected to (ii) a plurality of selection elements at a second displaylevel. The plurality of selection elements can correspond to theplurality of operations. The instructions, when executed by the one ormore processors, cause the system to perform: provide the initial userinterface for display to at least one device.

In some embodiments, the instructions, when executed by the one or moreprocessors, cause the system to perform: receiving a user selection ofthe output object type of the switch operation board. The instructions,when executed by the one or more processors, can cause the system toperform: determining a plurality of switch relationships compatible withthe input object type of the switch operation board and the outputobject type of the switch operation board. The instructions, whenexecuted by the one or more processors, can cause the system to perform:receiving a user selection of the switch relationship of the pluralityof switch relationships.

In some embodiments, the instructions, when executed by the one or moreprocessors, cause the system to perform: receiving a user selection ofthe enrich relationship. The instructions, when executed by the one ormore processors, can cause the system to perform: determining aplurality of second object types compatible with the input object typeof the enrich operation board and the enrich relationship. Theinstructions, when executed by the one or more processors, can cause thesystem to perform: receiving a user selection of the second object typeof the plurality of second object types.

In some embodiments, the instructions, when executed by the one or moreprocessors, cause the system to perform: receiving an invalid user inputwith respect to a first element in an operation board of the pluralityof operation boards. The instructions, when executed by the one or moreprocessors, can cause the system to perform: generating an error userinterface comprising an error message adjacent to, or overlapping, thefirst element in the operation board. The first element of the operationboard may not be connected to a second element in the operation board,via a first intra-board path of the operation board and/or a nextoperation board of the operation board, via a second intra-board path ofthe operation board. The instructions, when executed by the one or moreprocessors, can cause the system to perform: causing to display thethird user interface.

In some embodiments, the instructions, when executed by the one or moreprocessors, cause the system to perform: retrieving patient data for aplurality of patients, treatment data of the plurality of patients, anddiagnosis information associated with the treatment data. Generating themulti-level board user interface can comprise generating the multi-levelboard user interface using the patient data, the treatment data, and thediagnosis information.

In some embodiments, the instructions, when executed by the one or moreprocessors, cause the system to perform: adding the output object typeof the enrich operation comprising the virtual object type to theplurality of object types. In some embodiments, the instructions, whenexecuted by the one or more processors, cause the system to perform:generating a template comprising relationships between and within theobject board and the plurality of operation boards. In some embodiments,the instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, cause thesystem to perform: generating an output file comprising (i)relationships between and within the object board and the plurality ofoperation boards and (ii) data associated with the patient object type,the retreatment object type, and the diagnosis object type. In someembodiments, the plurality of objects, the plurality of operations, theinter-board paths, and the intra-board paths represent an ontology. Insome embodiments, a combination of the inter-board paths and theintra-board paths represent a path from the first object type to theoutput object type of a last board of the plurality of boards.

In some embodiments, the method comprises: generating a multi-levelboard user interface comprising a plurality of boards at differentdisplay levels. A first board of the plurality of boards can comprise anobject board corresponding to a first object type of a plurality ofobject types. The plurality of boards can comprise a plurality ofoperation boards corresponding to a plurality of operations on theplurality of object types. Each of the plurality of boards, other than alast board, can be connected, via an inter-board path, to a next boardof the plurality of boards. An output object type of each of theplurality of boards can be an input object type of the next board. Anoperation board can comprise (i) a first element connected, via anintra-board path, to (ii) a second element representing the input objecttype and the output object type of the operation board, respectively.The method can further comprise: causing to display the multi-levelboard user interface.

In some embodiments, method comprises: generating a multi-level boarduser interface comprising a plurality of boards at different displaylevels, the plurality of boards comprising (i) an object board at afirst display level and (ii) a plurality of operation boards each at adifferent second display level. In some embodiments, the object boardcorresponds to a first object type of a plurality of object typescomprising a patient object type, a treatment object type, and adiagnosis object type. In some embodiments, the object board isconnected, via a first inter-board path, to a first operation board ofthe plurality of operation boards. Each of the plurality of operationboards, other than a last operation board, can be connected, via asecond inter-board path, to a next operation board of the plurality ofoperation boards. In some embodiments, an input object type of the firstoperation board comprises the first object type. An output object typeof each of the plurality of operation boards can be an input object typeof the next operation board. In some embodiments, the plurality ofoperation boards can correspond to a plurality of operations. Theplurality of operations can comprise a filter operation, a switchoperation, and an enrich operation. The plurality of operation boardscan comprise a filter operation board, an enrich operation board, and aswitch operation board. In some embodiments, the filter operation boardcan comprise one or more filter elements connected, via one or moreintra-filter operation board paths, by one or more logic operations. Theinput type of the filter operation board and the output type of thefilter operation board can identical. In some embodiments, the switchoperation board can comprise (i) a first switch element representing theinput object type of the switch operation board and (ii) a second switchelement representing the output object type of the switch operationboard. The first switch element and the second switch element can beconnected by a switch link element, via an intra-switch operation boardpath, representing a switch relationship between the input object typeof the switch operation board and the output object type of the switchoperation board. In some embodiments, the enrich operation boardcomprises (i) a first enrich element representing the input object typeof the enrich operation board, (ii) a second enrich element representinga second object type of the plurality of object types, or a combinationthereof, and (iii) a third enrich element representing the output objecttype of the enrich operation board, the output object type of the enrichoperation board comprising a virtual object type representing acombination of the input object type of the enrich operation board andthe second object type. In some embodiments, the first enrich elementand the second enrich element are connected, via a first intra-enrichoperation board path, by an enriching link element representing anenrich relationship between the input object type of the enrichoperation board and the output object type of the enrich operationboard. In some embodiments, the first enrich element is connected, via asecond intra-enrich operation board path, to the third enrich element.The method can further comprise: causing to display the multi-levelboard user interface.

In some embodiments, the non-transitory computer readable mediumcomprising instructions that, when executed, cause one or moreprocessors to perform: generating a multi-level board user interfacecomprising a plurality of boards at different display levels. A firstboard of the plurality of boards can comprise an object boardcorresponding to a first object type of a plurality of object types. Theplurality of boards can comprise a plurality of operation boardscorresponding to a plurality of operations on the plurality of objecttypes. Each of the plurality of boards, other than a last board, can beconnected, via an inter-board path, to a next board of the plurality ofboards. An output object type of each of the plurality of boards can bean input object type of the next board. An operation board can comprise(i) a first element connected, via an intra-board path, to (ii) a secondelement representing the input object type and the output object type ofthe operation board, respectively. The instructions, when executed, cancause the one or more processors to perform: causing to display themulti-level board user interface.

In some embodiments, the non-transitory computer readable mediumcomprising instructions that, when executed, cause one or moreprocessors to perform: generating a multi-level board user interfacecomprising a plurality of boards at different display levels, theplurality of boards comprising (i) an object board at a first displaylevel and (ii) a plurality of operation boards each at a differentsecond display level. In some embodiments, the object board correspondsto a first object type of a plurality of object types comprising apatient object type, a treatment object type, and a diagnosis objecttype. In some embodiments, the object board is connected, via a firstinter-board path, to a first operation board of the plurality ofoperation boards. Each of the plurality of operation boards, other thana last operation board, can be connected, via a second inter-board path,to a next operation board of the plurality of operation boards. In someembodiments, an input object type of the first operation board comprisesthe first object type. An output object type of each of the plurality ofoperation boards can be an input object type of the next operationboard. In some embodiments, the plurality of operation boards cancorrespond to a plurality of operations. The plurality of operations cancomprise a filter operation, a switch operation, and an enrichoperation. The plurality of operation boards can comprise a filteroperation board, an enrich operation board, and a switch operationboard. In some embodiments, the filter operation board can comprise oneor more filter elements connected, via one or more intra-filteroperation board paths, by one or more logic operations. The input typeof the filter operation board and the output type of the filteroperation board can identical. In some embodiments, the switch operationboard can comprise (i) a first switch element representing the inputobject type of the switch operation board and (ii) a second switchelement representing the output object type of the switch operationboard. The first switch element and the second switch element can beconnected by a switch link element, via an intra-switch operation boardpath, representing a switch relationship between the input object typeof the switch operation board and the output object type of the switchoperation board. In some embodiments, the enrich operation boardcomprises (i) a first enrich element representing the input object typeof the enrich operation board, (ii) a second enrich element representinga second object type of the plurality of object types, or a combinationthereof, and (iii) a third enrich element representing the output objecttype of the enrich operation board, the output object type of the enrichoperation board comprising a virtual object type representing acombination of the input object type of the enrich operation board andthe second object type. In some embodiments, the first enrich elementand the second enrich element are connected, via a first intra-enrichoperation board path, by an enriching link element representing anenrich relationship between the input object type of the enrichoperation board and the output object type of the enrich operationboard. In some embodiments, the first enrich element is connected, via asecond intra-enrich operation board path, to the third enrich element.The instructions, when executed, can cause the one or more processors toperform: causing to display the multi-level board user interface.

These and other features of the systems, methods, and non-transitorycomputer readable media disclosed herein, as well as the methods ofoperation and functions of the related elements of structure and thecombination of parts and economies of manufacture, will become moreapparent upon consideration of the following description and theappended claims with reference to the accompanying drawings, all ofwhich form a part of this specification, wherein like reference numeralsdesignate corresponding parts in the various figures. It is to beexpressly understood, however, that the drawings are for purposes ofillustration and description only and are not intended as a definitionof the limits of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Certain features of various embodiments of the present technology areset forth with particularity in the appended claims. A betterunderstanding of the features and advantages of the technology will beobtained by reference to the following detailed description that setsforth illustrative embodiments, in which the principles of the inventionare utilized, and the accompanying drawings of which:

FIGS. 1A-1D illustrate example user interfaces for performing dataanalysis (e.g., high-scale top-down data analysis).

FIG. 2 illustrates an example patient object board.

FIG. 3 illustrates an example operation board.

FIGS. 4A-4D show an example configuration of an object board linked toan operation board.

FIG. 5 illustrates an example filter operation board.

FIG. 6 illustrates an example switch operation board.

FIG. 7 illustrates an example enrich operation board.

FIG. 8 illustrates an example filter operation board showing an errormessage.

FIG. 9 is a flow diagram showing an example process of generating a userinterface for performing data analysis (e.g., high-scale top-down dataanalysis).

FIG. 10 illustrates a block diagram of an example computer system inwhich any of the embodiments described herein can be implemented.

The figures depict various embodiments of the disclosed technology forpurposes of illustration only, wherein the figures use like referencenumerals to identify like elements. One skilled in the art will readilyrecognize from the following discussion that alternative embodiments ofthe structures and methods illustrated in the figures can be employedwithout departing from the principles of the disclosed technologydescribed herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A claimed solution rooted in computer technology overcomes problemsspecifically arising in the realm of computer technology. The claimedsolution provides an improvement over existing technologies, forexample, by providing a specific, structured graphical user interfacethat enables high-scale top-down data analysis.

In various implementations, a computing system is configured to generatea multi-level board user interface, and causes the multi-level boarduser interface to be displayed to a user. For example, elements and/orpaths of the multi-level board user interface may be represented in amanner that is similar to a circuit diagram, rather than a traditionaldata pipeline. The multi-level board user interface can comprise aplurality of boards at different display levels. For example, themulti-level board user interface can comprise (i) an object board at afirst display level and (ii) a plurality of operation boards each at adifferent second display level. The object board can correspond to anobject type (e.g., a patient object type, a treatment object type, adiagnosis object type). Object types may be defined by an ontology.

In some embodiments, an operation board can correspond to operations,such as a filter operation, a switch operation, and an enrich operation.An operation board can be a filter operation board, an enrich operationboard, or a switch operation board.

In some embodiments, the object board is connected to the firstoperation board (e.g., via a first inter-board path). Each operationboard, other than the last operation board, can be connected to the nextoperation board (e.g., via a second inter-board path). The input objecttype of each operation board is the output object type of the precedingoperation board (or the object board for the first operation board).

In some embodiments, the filter operation board comprises one or morefilter elements (e.g., elements representing filters such as patientsyounger than 40) connected (e.g., via one or more intra-filter operationboard paths) by one or more logic operations (e.g., and, or, xor, not).The input type and the output type of the filter operation board can beidentical.

In some embodiments, the switch operation board comprises (i) a firstswitch element representing the input object type (e.g., the patientobject type) of the switch operation board and (ii) the output objecttype of the switch operation board (e.g., the treatment object type).The first switch element and the second switch element can be connected(e.g., via an intra-switch operation board path) by a switch linkelement representing a switch relationship (e.g., particular treatmentsthe patients received) between the input object type of the switchoperation board and the second object type.

In some embodiments, the enrich operation board comprises (i) a firstenrich element representing the input object type (e.g., the treatmentobject type) of the enrich operation board, (ii) a second enrich elementrepresenting a third object type (e.g. the diagnosis object type) (iii)and a third enrich element representing the output object type of theenrich operation board and comprising a virtual object type (e.g., avirtual object including treatments with diagnoses). The virtual objecttype may be a temporary object representing a combination (e.g., alogical combination) of different object types, such as the input objecttype of the enrich operation board and the third object type. Virtualobject types may not be represented in the ontology, but may nonethelessinherit functionality of the ontology. Virtual object types may becomepermanent object types and added to the ontology (e.g., in response touser input). The first enrich element and the second enrich element canbe connected (e.g., via a first intra-enrich operation board path) by anenriching link element representing an enrich relationship between theinput object type of the enrich operation board and the output objecttype of the enrich operation board. The first enrich element can beconnected to the third enrich element (e.g., via a second intra-enrichoperation board path).

Data Analysis

FIGS. 1A-1D illustrate example user interfaces for performing dataanalysis (e.g., high-scale top-down data analysis). A user (e.g., aresearcher such as a cancer researcher) can start the data analysisprocess using an object type selector. A user can use a user interfaceto browse and select an object type category, drill down into a specificentity type, and then select a specific ontological or object type tostart the data analysis process for a display level. FIG. 1A shows anexample user interface 100 a that prompts a user to browse and select anobject type category 104 of possible object categories, then browse andselect a specific entity type 108 of possible entity types, and thenbrowse and select a specific ontological or object type 112 of possibleontological or object types to start the data analysis process for afirst display level (the display level “0” 11610 shown). FIG. 1A showsthat the user has selected the “Entities” object category 104 e, the“Person” entity type 108 p, and the “Patient” ontological or object type112 p. A zero state can refer to a state before the user begins browsingand selecting an object type category, a specific entity type, and aspecific ontological or object type or before a specific ontological orobject type is selected. Additional information such as notes related tothe object type at this display level (e.g., how the objects of theobject types are selected) can be added or modified using the notes icon116 i 0.

After selecting the object type using the user interface 100 aillustrated in FIG. 1A, an updated user interface that includes anobject board corresponding to or representing the selected ontologicalor object type at the first display level can be generated and presentedto the user. FIG. 1B shows an example updated user interface 100 b withan object board 120/0, corresponding to or representing the selected“Patient” ontological or object type 112 p, at the first display level,that can be generated and presented to the user. The updated userinterface can prompt the user to select an operation for the ontologicalor object type that user has selected at a second display level. FIG. 1Bshows that the updated user interface 100 b can include visualrepresentations 124 s, 124 f, 124 v, 124 c, 124 t, 124 e (e.g., buttons)corresponding to or representing possible operations for the selectedontological or object type at the second display level (the displaylevel “1” 116/1 shown). For example, the user can select the “Filter”operation for the “Patient” ontological or object type. Additionalinformation such as notes related to the operation at this display level(e.g., rationales for the operation) can be added or modified using thenotes icon 116 i 1.

After selecting the operation for the selected ontological or objecttype at the second display level using the user interface 100 billustrated in FIG. 1B, a further updated user interface that includesan operation board corresponding to or representing the selectedoperation at the second display can be generated and presented to theuser. FIG. 1C shows an example further updated user interface 100 c withan operation board 120/1 corresponding to or representing the selected“Filter” operation at the second level (the display level “2” 116/2shown). FIG. 1C shows that the selected “Patients” ontological or objecttype is the input of the “Filter” operation and the updated userinterface 100 c can include the corresponding object board 120/0 andoperation board 120/1 linked via a path 128_01. An example filteroperation board 500 is described herein with reference to FIG. 5. Theupdated user interface 100 c can include visual representations 132 s,132 f, 132 v, 132 c, 132 t, 132 e (e.g., buttons) corresponding to orrepresenting possible operations for the output of the selectedoperation at the third display level (the display level “2” 116/2shown). Additional information such as notes related to the operation atthis display level can be added or modified using the notes icon 116 i2.

After selecting additional operations using the user interface 100 cillustrated in FIG. 1C, another updated user interface that includes theobject board 120/0 at the first level and the operation boardscorresponding to or representing the selected operations at second,third, and fourth levels can be generated and presented to the user.FIG. 1D shows another example further updated user interface 100 d thatincludes the object board 12010 at the first level and the operationboards 120/1-120/3 at the second, third, and fourth level (the displaylevel “3” 11613 shown) can be generated. FIG. 1D shows that the outputof the an operation board can be the input of a subsequent (e.g.,immediate subsequent) operation board and the updated user interface 100d can include the successive operation boards 12011, 12012, 12013 linkedvia paths 128_12, 128_23 (shown as thicker solid lines in the figure).Example operation boards include a filter operation board 500, a switchoperation board 600, an enrich operation board 700 are described hereinwith reference to FIGS. 5, 6, and 7, respectively. The updated userinterface 100 d can include visual representations 136 f, 136 s, 136 e(e.g., buttons), corresponding to or representing possible operationsfor the output of the selected operation at the fourth level, at thefifth level (the display level “4” 11614 shown). Additional informationsuch as notes related to the object type of each display level(including the input object type and the output object type) or theoperation at each display level can be added or modified using the notesicons 116 i 0-116 i 4. The operations represented by the boards and theobject type(s) of the input and output of the operations can be part ofor form an ontology. Objects of the boards (e.g., objects of the inputobject type and output object types of an operation board) can beretrieved from one or more databases.

The path from the object board 12010 at the first display level/displaylevel “0” to the operation board 12011 at the second displaylevel/display level “1” via the path 128_01, to the operation board12012 at the third display level/display level “2” via the path 128_12,to the operation board 12013 at the fourth display level/display level“3” via the path 128_23 can represent hypotheses and operations on theoutputs of the preceding hypotheses and operations. The path can bezero-indexed, beginning at position 0. A hypothesis that branches off ofanother hypothesis can inherit the position of that hypothesis.

Board, Types, Anatomies, and Connections

There can be two or more classifications or types of boards, such as anobject board type and a logic or operation board type. There can bethree or more types of operation boards, such as a filter operationboard type, an enrich operation board type, and a switch or pivotoperation board type.

An object board can include a board body. A board header can visuallyexplain, describe, and/or summarize the object represented by the board.FIG. 2 shows an example object board 200 with a board body 208. Theexample object board 200 illustrated in FIG. 2 includes an object typeicon 216 i, an object type 216 o (e.g., a string), and an object typecount 216 c (e.g., a string) on the left side of the board body 208. Theboard body 208 can include one or more action icons, such as the viewobject action icon 220 v and the change type action icon 220 c.

An operation board can include a board header, a board body, and a boardfooter. FIG. 3 shows an example operation board 300 of a generic boardtype with a board header 304, a board body 308, and a board footer 312.A generic operation board can be extended by operations such as thefilter operation, the switch operation, and the enrich operation. Aboard header can explain what the board is, and visually describe theinput and operation. The board header illustrated in FIG. 3 includes aboard type badge 304 b and a delete board input element 304 d (e.g., abutton). A board body 308 can show the internal logic of an operationcorresponding to or representing by the board and allow a user control aboard. For example, a board body can include internal logic of anoperation, such as properties, configurations, buttons, and lines. Aboard body can be a blank canvas and accept information and limitations(e.g., a person age is within a certain range) added to the board body.A board footer can show a summary of the object type represented by theoperation board (such as the input object type, the output object type,and/or any object type internal to the operation board) containing theboard footer. The board footer 312 illustrated in FIG. 3 includes asummary 312 s of a count of the objects of the object type representedby the operation board 300. The input of an operation board can be theoutput (e.g., a set of objects of an object type, whether the objecttype is part of an ontology) of the preceding (e.g., immediatepreceding) board. The output of an operation board can be a set ofobjects of an object type, such as a constrained, enriched, or pivotedobject set.

FIGS. 4A-4D show an example configuration of an object board of theperson object type linked to an operation board (such as a filteroperation board, a switch operation board, and an enrich operationboard). In FIG. 4A, the person object board 400 ob is connected to theoperation board 400 op via an external path 402 a with respect to theperson object board 400 ob and the operation board 400 op. The operationboard 400 op is shown to be connected to the next board (e.g., anoperation board) via an external path 402 b. The header of the operationboard 400 can have a board badge 404 b indicating the operation typerepresented by the operation board 400 ob. The color of the board badge404 b can be a color specific to the input object type of the operationboard 400 op. The body of the operation board can include one or moreconditions or configurations, such as the condition represented by acondition element 408 c. The condition element 412 can be connected tothe person object board 400 ob via a condition line or path 408 cl. Thecondition element 412 can be connected via an internal logic line orpath 408 ll and the external path 402 b to the next board. The body ofthe operation board 400 can include an optional condition line 408 oclconnected to the condition line 408 cl and an input element 408 ie(e.g., a button, such as an add condition button). After a user selectsthe input element 408 ie (e.g., by pressing the add condition button),an additional condition element can be shown in the body of theoperation board next to (e.g., below) the other condition element 408 c.FIGS. 4B-4D show example spacing and colors of internal and externallines or paths of the operation board 400 op.

FIG. 5 illustrates an example filter operation board. The filteroperation board 500 illustrated in FIG. 5 can comprise one or morecondition or filter elements 504 a, 504 b connected, via one or moreintra-filter operation board paths 508 a-508 f, by one or more logicoperations 512 (e.g., and, or, xor logic operations). The condition orfilter elements 504 a, 504 b can represent conditions or filters. Thefilter operation board can include input elements 516 a, 516 b (e.g.,buttons), for keeping or removing matches or satisfies the conditions orfilters represented by the condition or filter elements 504 a, 504 b inthe filter operation board 500. Condition or filter elements 504 a, 504b can be connected by a logic operation 512 (an “or” logic operationshown). Each condition or filter element can include one or more(sub-)condition or filter elements. Two sub-condition or filter elementscan be connected by an “and” logic operation as illustrated in FIG. 5. Acondition or filter element and a (sub-)condition or filter element caninclude a property name, a comparison operator, and a value forcomparison. FIG. 5 shows that the condition or filter element 504 aincludes two (sub)condition or filter elements 504 a 1, 504 a 2, eachwith a property name (“age” and “name property” names shown), acomparison operation (“is less than” and “is” operations shown), and avalue for comparison (“35” and “Paul OR Pauline” values for comparisonshown). Each (sub-)condition or filter element can include a deleteinput element (e.g., a button) 504 ad 1, 504 ad 2, 504 bd 1, 504 bd 2.An additional (sub-) condition or filter element can be added by, forexample, selecting the “Add filter” 504 a_af, 504 b_af input element(e.g., pressing an icon or associated descriptive text, such as “Addfilter”). An additional condition or filter element can be added by, forexample, select (e.g., press) an input element 516 (e.g., a button). Theoutput of the filter object board 500 can be the input objectsconstrained by the internal logic of the board. The input type of thefilter operation board and the output type of the filter operation boardcan identical (e.g., the patient object type). The output of the filterobject board can include the same number or fewer number of objectscompared to the number of objects that input of the object board has.The output of a filter operation board can be, for example, a set ofpatients satisfying certain criteria.

FIG. 6 illustrates an example switch operation board. The switchoperation board 600 illustrated in FIG. 6 includes (i) a first switchelement 604 i representing the input object type of the switch operationboard 600. The switch operation board 600 includes (ii) a second switchelement 604 o representing the output object type of the switchoperation board 600. The colors of the switch elements 604 i, 604 o orportions thereof (e.g., icons in the switch elements 604 i, 604 o) canbe the colors assigned to or used by the object types represented by theswitch elements 604 i, 604 o. The first switch element and the secondswitch element 604 i, 604 o can be connected by a switch link element604 l, via an intra-switch operation board path 604 p 1, 604 p 2,representing a switch relationship between the input object type of theswitch operation board and the output object type of the switchoperation board. The original or input object type of the switchoperation board 600 can be inherited from previous (e.g., immediatelypreceding) object or operation board and be immutable. The linkrepresented by the switch link element 604 l can be a relationshipbetween the two object types 604 i, 604 o. The new or output object typeof the switch operation board can be the object type to enrich theoriginal or input object type. The new or output object type of theswitch operation board can be the object type the original or inputobject type is being pivoted into. The switch operation board 600 canauto-suggest relationships from the ontology via a typeahead dropdown.For example, after a link type is selected, only possible new objecttypes, given the link type and the original or input object type, can beshown to the user. If a user fills out the new object type first, theset of relationships or link types can be constrained based on theontology. For example, after a new object type is selected, onlypossible relationships or links types, given the object types, can beshown to the user. If a user fills out the link type first, the set ofpossible new object types can be constrained based on the ontology. Theoutput of the switch operation board 600 can be a set of objects of thenew or output object type of the switch operation board 600. The inputof the switch operation board can be a set of patients satisfying one ormore certain criteria, and the output of the switch operation board canbe the treatments these patients have received. Objects of the newobject type can be retrieved from a database.

FIG. 7 illustrates an example enrich operation board. The enrichoperation board 700 illustrated in FIG. 7 includes (i) a first enrichelement 704 t representing the input object type of the enrich operationboard. The enrich operation board 700 can include (ii) a second enrichelement 704 e representing a second object type of the ontology. Objectsof the second object type can be retrieved from a database (e.g., adatabase with information related to what treatments should beadministered given certain diagnoses). The enrich operation board 700can include (iii) a third enrich element 704 v representing the outputobject type of the enrich operation board, the output object type of theenrich operation board comprising a mutated or virtual object typerepresenting a combination of the input object type of the enrichoperation board and the second object type. The first enrich element 704t and the second enrich element 704 e are connected, via a firstintra-enrich operation board path 704 p 1, 704 p 2, by an enriching linkelement 704 l representing an enrich relationship between the inputobject type of the enrich operation board 700 and the output object typeof the enrich operation board 700. The first enrich element 704 t can beconnected, via a second intra-enrich operation board path 704 p 3, 704 p4, 704 p 5, to the third enrich element 704 v. The user can input thename of the mutated or virtual object type and assign a color to themutated or virtual object type using input elements 704 on, 704 c (e.g.,a text box or a drop down menu). The original or input object type ofthe enrich operation board 700 can be inherited from previous board andbe immutable. The object to enrich from can be an object type from theontology. A mutated or virtual object type can be an object type that isnot (yet) part of the ontology. The output of the enrich operation boardcan include (e.g., by merging) properties (e.g., columns) from both thetwo object types represented by the enrich elements 704 t, 704 e thatmatch the criterion represented by the enriching link element 704 l. Asillustrated in FIG. 7, the enrich operation board 700 can include aninput element (e.g., a button) 704 n that user can use to propose a newobject type. The output of the switch operation board can be thediagnoses that the patients may have given the treatments the patientshave received.

When there is an error in an operation board, the internal path of theboard related to the error can be directly cut with an error messageshown. The external path of the operation board can also be cut. FIG. 8illustrates an example filter operation board showing an error message.The filter operation board 800 in FIG. 8 includes an error message 804 eand an error sign 804 s 1, indicating an invalid input for one of the(sub-)condition or filter element. The path 808 d after the(sub-)condition or filter element has been cut (compared to the path 508d in FIG. 5) by the error sign 804 s 1. The external path 800 pe of theoperation board 800 is shown to be cut by another error sign 804 s 2.

Data Analysis Method

FIG. 9 is a flow diagram showing an example method 900 for data analysis(e.g., for performing high-scale top-down data analysis and/orgenerating a user interface for performing high-scale top-down dataanalysis), according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.The method 900 can be implemented in various environments and computersystems, including, for example, the computer system 1000 of FIG. 10.The operations of method 900 presented below are intended to beillustrative. Depending on the implementation, the example method 900can include additional, fewer, or alternative steps performed in variousorders or in parallel. The example method 900 can be implemented invarious computing systems or devices including one or more processors.

At block 904, a computer system (e.g., the computer system 1000 of FIG.10) can receiving a user selection of a first object type of a pluralityof object types. For example, the computer system can receive the userselection using the user interface 100 a described with reference toFIG. 1A. The plurality of object types can comprise a patient objecttype, a treatment object type, and a diagnosis object type. Theplurality of object types can be part of an ontology.

At block 908, the computer system can generate an initial user interface(e.g., the user interface 100 b described with reference to FIG. 1B)comprising an object board (e.g., the patient object boards 10010, 200described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, respectively) at a firstdisplay level. The object board can correspond to the first object typeof the plurality of object types. The object board can comprise anobject board body. In some embodiments, the initial user interfacecomprises (i) the object board at the first display level connected to(ii) a plurality of selection elements at a second display level. Theplurality of selection elements can correspond to the plurality ofoperations. In some embodiments, the computer system can retrieve dataassociated with objects of the first object type (e.g., patient data fora plurality of patients) from one or more databases.

At block 912, the computer system can cause display the user interface

At block 916, the computer system can receive a user selection of eachof a plurality of operations corresponding to a plurality of operationboards.

At block 920, the computer system can generate a multi-level board userinterface (e.g., the user interfaces 100 c, 100 d described withreference to FIGS. 1C-1D). The multi-level board user interface cancomprise a plurality of boards at different display levels. Theplurality of boards can comprise (i) the object board at the firstdisplay level and (ii) a plurality of operation boards each at adifferent second display level. In some embodiments, each of theplurality of operation boards comprises an operation board header, anoperation board body, and an operation board footer. The multi-levelboard user interface can comprise the object board and operation boardsof the plurality of operation boards that are arranged vertically,horizontally, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, an inputobject type of the first operation board comprises the first objecttype. An output object type of each of the plurality of operation boardscan be an input object type of the next operation board.

In some embodiments, the object board is connected, via a firstinter-board path (e.g., the path 128_01 in FIG. 1C), to a firstoperation board of the plurality of operation boards. Each of theplurality of operation boards, other than a last operation board, can beconnected, via a second inter-board path (e.g., the paths 128_12, 128_23in FIG. 1D), to a next operation board of the plurality of operationboards.

In some embodiments, the plurality of operation boards can correspond toa plurality of operations. For example, the plurality of operations cancomprise a filter operation, a switch operation, and an enrichoperation. The plurality of operations can be part of the ontology. Theplurality of operation boards can comprise a filter operation board(e.g., an enrich operation board, and a switch operation board.

In some embodiments, the filter operation board (e.g., the filteroperation board 500 described with reference to FIG. 5) can comprise oneor more filter elements connected, via one or more intra-filteroperation board paths, by one or more logic operations. The input typeof the filter operation board and the output type of the filteroperation board can identical.

In some embodiments, the switch operation board (e.g., the switchoperation board 600 described with reference to FIG. 6) can comprise (i)a first switch element representing the input object type of the switchoperation board and (ii) a second switch element representing the outputobject type of the switch operation board. The first switch element andthe second switch element can be connected by a switch link element, viaan intra-switch operation board path, representing a switch relationshipbetween the input object type of the switch operation board and theoutput object type of the switch operation board.

In some embodiments, the computer system can receive a user selection ofthe output object type of the switch operation board. The computersystem can determine a plurality of switch relationships compatible withthe input object type of the switch operation board and the outputobject type of the switch operation board. The computer system canreceive a user selection of the switch relationship of the plurality ofswitch relationships.

In some embodiments, the enrich operation board (e.g., the enrichoperation board 700 described with reference to FIG. 7) comprises (i) afirst enrich element representing the input object type of the enrichoperation board, (ii) a second enrich element representing a secondobject type of the plurality of object types, or a combination thereof,and (iii) a third enrich element representing the output object type ofthe enrich operation board, the output object type of the enrichoperation board comprising a virtual object type representing acombination of the input object type of the enrich operation board andthe second object type. In some embodiments, the first enrich elementand the second enrich element are connected, via a first intra-enrichoperation board path, by an enriching link element representing anenrich relationship between the input object type of the enrichoperation board and the output object type of the enrich operationboard. In some embodiments, the first enrich element is connected, via asecond intra-enrich operation board path, to the third enrich element.In some embodiments, the computer system can add the output object typeof the enrich operation comprising the virtual object type to theplurality of object types. The output object type of the enrichoperation then becomes part of the ontology.

In some embodiments, the computer system can receive a user selection ofthe enrich relationship. The computer system can determine a pluralityof second object types compatible with the input object type of theenrich operation board and the enrich relationship. The computer systemcan receive a user selection of the second object type of the pluralityof second object types.

In some embodiments, the plurality of objects, the plurality ofoperations and the inter-board paths represent an ontology. In someembodiments, the plurality of objects, the plurality of operations, theinter-board paths, and the intra-board paths represent an ontology. Insome embodiments, a combination of the inter-board paths and theintra-board paths represent a path from the first object type to theoutput object type of a last board of the plurality of boards. Theboards and paths can be analogous to a circuit diagram.

In some embodiments, the computer system can receive an invalid userinput with respect to a first element in an operation board of theplurality of operation boards. The computer system can generate an erroruser interface (e.g., the interface 800 described with reference to FIG.8) comprising an error message adjacent to, or overlapping, the firstelement in the operation board. The first element of the operation boardmay not be connected to a second element in the operation board, via afirst intra-board path of the operation board and/or a next operationboard of the operation board, via a second intra-board path of theoperation board.

In some embodiments, the computer system can retrieve patient data for aplurality of patients, treatment data of the plurality of patients, anddiagnosis information associated with the treatment data from one ormore databases. The computer system can generate the multi-level boarduser interface using the patient data, the treatment data, and thediagnosis information.

At block 924, the computer system can cause display the multi-levelboard user interface. The computer system can generate a templatecomprising relationships between and within the object board and theplurality of operation boards. In some embodiments, the computer systemcan generate an output file comprising (i) relationships between andwithin the object board and the plurality of operation boards and (ii)data associated with the patient object type, the retreatment objecttype, and the diagnosis object type. The output file can then bedistributed and/or published.

Hardware Implementation

The techniques described herein are implemented by one or morespecial-purpose computing devices. The special-purpose computing devicesmay be hard-wired to perform the techniques, or may include circuitry ordigital electronic devices such as one or more application-specificintegrated circuits (ASICs) or field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs)that are persistently programmed to perform the techniques, or mayinclude one or more hardware processors programmed to perform thetechniques pursuant to program instructions in firmware, memory, otherstorage, or a combination. Such special-purpose computing devices mayalso combine custom hard-wired logic, ASICs, or FPGAs with customprogramming to accomplish the techniques. The special-purpose computingdevices may be desktop computer systems, server computer systems,portable computer systems, handheld devices, networking devices or anyother device or combination of devices that incorporate hard-wiredand/or program logic to implement the techniques.

Computing device(s) are generally controlled and coordinated byoperating system software, such as iOS, Android, Chrome OS, Windows XP,Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows Server, Windows CE, Unix,Linux, SunOS, Solaris, iOS, Blackberry OS, VxWorks, or other compatibleoperating systems. In other embodiments, the computing device may becontrolled by a proprietary operating system. Conventional operatingsystems control and schedule computer processes for execution, performmemory management, provide file system, networking, I/O services, andprovide a user interface functionality, such as a graphical userinterface (“GUI”), among other things.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram that illustrates a computer system 1000 uponwhich any of the embodiments described herein may be implemented. Thecomputer system 1000 includes a bus 1002 or other communicationmechanism for communicating information, one or more hardware processor1004 coupled with bus 1002 for processing information. Hardwareprocessor 1004 or processors may be, for example, one or more generalpurpose microprocessors.

The computer system 1000 also includes a main memory 1006, such as arandom-access memory (RAM), cache and/or other dynamic storage devices,coupled to bus 1002 for storing information and instructions to beexecuted by processor 1004. Main memory 1006 also may be used forstoring temporary variables or other intermediate information duringexecution of instructions to be executed by processor 1004. Suchinstructions, when stored in storage media accessible to processor 1004,render computer system 1000 into a special-purpose machine that iscustomized to perform the operations specified in the instructions.

The computer system 1000 further includes a read only memory (ROM) 1008or other static storage device coupled to bus 1002 for storing staticinformation and instructions for processor 1004. A storage device 1010,such as a magnetic disk, optical disk, or USB thumb drive (Flash drive),etc., is provided and coupled to bus 1002 for storing information andinstructions.

The computer system 1000 may be coupled via bus 1002 to a display 1012,such as a cathode ray tube (CRT) or LCD display (or touch screen), fordisplaying information to a computer user. An input device 1014,including alphanumeric and other keys, is coupled to bus 1002 forcommunicating information and command selections to processor 1004.Another type of user input device is cursor control 1016, such as amouse, a trackball, or cursor direction keys for communicating directioninformation and command selections to processor 1004 and for controllingcursor movement on display 1012. This input device typically has twodegrees of freedom in two axes, a first axis (e.g., x) and a second axis(e.g., y), that allows the device to specify positions in a plane. Insome embodiments, the same direction information and command selectionsas cursor control may be implemented via receiving touches on a touchscreen lacking a cursor.

The computing system 1000 may include a user interface module toimplement a GUI that may be stored in a mass storage device asexecutable software codes that are executed by the computing device(s).This and other modules may include, by way of example, components, suchas software components, object-oriented software components, classcomponents and task components, processes, functions, attributes,procedures, subroutines, segments of program code, drivers, firmware,microcode, circuitry, data, databases, data structures, tables, arrays,and variables.

In general, the word “module,” as used herein, refers to logic embodiedin hardware or firmware, or to a collection of software instructions,possibly having entry and exit points, written in a programminglanguage, such as, for example, Java, C or C++. A software module may becompiled and linked into an executable program, installed in a dynamiclink library, or may be written in an interpreted programming languagesuch as, for example, BASIC, Perl, or Python. It will be appreciatedthat software modules may be callable from other modules or fromthemselves, and/or may be invoked in response to detected events orinterrupts. Software modules configured for execution on computingdevices may be provided on a computer readable medium, such as a compactdisc, digital video disc, flash drive, magnetic disc, or any othertangible medium, or as a digital download (and may be originally storedin a compressed or installable format that requires installation,decompression or decryption prior to execution). Such software code maybe stored, partially or fully, on a memory device of the executingcomputing device, for execution by the computing device. Softwareinstructions may be embedded in firmware, such as an EPROM. It will befurther appreciated that hardware modules may be comprised of connectedlogic units, such as gates and flip-flops, and/or may be comprised ofprogrammable units, such as programmable gate arrays or processors. Themodules or computing device functionality described herein arepreferably implemented as software modules but may be represented inhardware or firmware. Generally, the modules described herein refer tological modules that may be combined with other modules or divided intosub-modules despite their physical organization or storage.

The computer system 1000 may implement the techniques described hereinusing customized hard-wired logic, one or more ASICs or FPGAs, firmwareand/or program logic which in combination with the computer systemcauses or programs computer system 1000 to be a special-purpose machine.According to one embodiment, the techniques herein are performed bycomputer system 1000 in response to processor(s) 1004 executing one ormore sequences of one or more instructions contained in main memory1006. Such instructions may be read into main memory 1006 from anotherstorage medium, such as storage device 1010. Execution of the sequencesof instructions contained in main memory 1006 causes processor(s) 1004to perform the process steps described herein. In alternativeembodiments, hard-wired circuitry may be used in place of or incombination with software instructions.

The term “non-transitory media,” and similar terms, as used hereinrefers to any media that store data and/or instructions that cause amachine to operate in a specific fashion. Such non-transitory media maycomprise non-volatile media and/or volatile media. Non-volatile mediaincludes, for example, optical or magnetic disks, such as storage device1010. Volatile media includes dynamic memory, such as main memory 1006.Common forms of non-transitory media include, for example, a floppydisk, a flexible disk, hard disk, solid state drive, magnetic tape, orany other magnetic data storage medium, a CD-ROM, any other optical datastorage medium, any physical medium with patterns of holes, a RAM, aPROM, and EPROM, a FLASH-EPROM, NVRAM, any other memory chip orcartridge, and networked versions of the same.

Non-transitory media is distinct from but may be used in conjunctionwith transmission media. Transmission media participates in transferringinformation between non-transitory media. For example, transmissionmedia includes coaxial cables, copper wire and fiber optics, includingthe wires that comprise bus 1002. Transmission media can also take theform of acoustic or light waves, such as those generated duringradio-wave and infra-red data communications.

Various forms of media may be involved in carrying one or more sequencesof one or more instructions to processor 1004 for execution. Forexample, the instructions may initially be carried on a magnetic disk orsolid-state drive of a remote computer. The remote computer can load theinstructions into its dynamic memory and send the instructions over atelephone line using a modem. A modem local to computer system 1000 canreceive the data on the telephone line and use an infra-red transmitterto convert the data to an infra-red signal. An infra-red detector canreceive the data carried in the infra-red signal and appropriatecircuitry can place the data on bus 1002. Bus 102 carries the data tomain memory 1006, from which processor 1004 retrieves and executes theinstructions. The instructions received by main memory 1006 mayretrieves and executes the instructions. The instructions received bymain memory 1006 may optionally be stored on storage device 1010 eitherbefore or after execution by processor 1004.

The computer system 1000 also includes a communication interface 1018coupled to bus 1002. Communication interface 1018 provides a two-waydata communication coupling to one or more network links that areconnected to one or more local networks. For example, communicationinterface 1018 may be an integrated service digital network (ISDN) card,cable modem, satellite modem, or a modem to provide a data communicationconnection to a corresponding type of telephone line. As anotherexample, communication interface 1018 may be a local area network (LAN)card to provide a data communication connection to a compatible LAN (orWAN component to communicated with a WAN). Wireless links may also beimplemented. In any such implementation, communication interface 1018sends and receives electrical, electromagnetic or optical signals thatcarry digital data streams representing various types of information.

A network link typically provides data communication through one or morenetworks to other data devices. For example, a network link may providea connection through local network to a host computer or to dataequipment operated by an Internet Service Provider (ISP). The ISP inturn provides data communication services through the world-wide packetdata communication network now commonly referred to as the “Internet”.Local network and Internet both use electrical, electromagnetic oroptical signals that carry digital data streams. The signals through thevarious networks and the signals on network link and throughcommunication interface 1018, which carry the digital data to and fromcomputer system 1000, are example forms of transmission media.

The computer system 1000 can send messages and receive data, includingprogram code, through the network(s), network link and communicationinterface 1018. In the Internet example, a server might transmit arequested code for an application program through the Internet, the ISP,the local network and the communication interface 1018.

The received code may be executed by processor 1004 as it is received,and/or stored in storage device 1010, or other non-volatile storage forlater execution.

Each of the processes, methods, and algorithms described in thepreceding sections may be embodied in, and fully or partially automatedby, code modules executed by one or more computer systems or computerprocessors comprising computer hardware. The processes and algorithmsmay be implemented partially or wholly in application-specificcircuitry.

The various features and processes described above may be usedindependently of one another or may be combined in various ways. Allpossible combinations and sub-combinations are intended to fall withinthe scope of this disclosure. In addition, certain method or processblocks may be omitted in some implementations. The methods and processesdescribed herein are also not limited to any particular sequence, andthe blocks or states relating thereto can be performed in othersequences that are appropriate. For example, described blocks or statesmay be performed in an order other than that specifically disclosed, ormultiple blocks or states may be combined in a single block or state.The example blocks or states may be performed in serial, in parallel, orin some other manner. Blocks or states may be added to or removed fromthe disclosed example embodiments. The example systems and componentsdescribed herein may be configured differently than described. Forexample, elements may be added to, removed from, or rearranged comparedto the disclosed example embodiments.

Conditional language, such as, among others, “can,” “could,” “might,” or“may,” unless specifically stated otherwise, or otherwise understoodwithin the context as used, is generally intended to convey that certainembodiments include, while other embodiments do not include, certainfeatures, elements and/or steps. Thus, such conditional language is notgenerally intended to imply that features, elements and/or steps are inany way required for one or more embodiments or that one or moreembodiments necessarily include logic for deciding, with or without userinput or prompting, whether these features, elements and/or steps areincluded or are to be performed in any particular embodiment.

Any process descriptions, elements, or blocks in the flow diagramsdescribed herein and/or depicted in the attached figures should beunderstood as potentially representing modules, segments, or portions ofcode which include one or more executable instructions for implementingspecific logical functions or steps in the process. Alternateimplementations are included within the scope of the embodimentsdescribed herein in which elements or functions may be deleted, executedout of order from that shown or discussed, including substantiallyconcurrently or in reverse order, depending on the functionalityinvolved, as would be understood by those skilled in the art.

It should be emphasized that many variations and modifications may bemade to the above-described embodiments, the elements of which are to beunderstood as being among other acceptable examples. All suchmodifications and variations are intended to be included herein withinthe scope of this disclosure. The foregoing description details certainembodiments of the invention. It will be appreciated, however, that nomatter how detailed the foregoing appears in text, the invention can bepracticed in many ways. As is also stated above, it should be noted thatthe use of particular terminology when describing certain features oraspects of the invention should not be taken to imply that theterminology is being re-defined herein to be restricted to including anyspecific characteristics of the features or aspects of the inventionwith which that terminology is associated. The scope of the inventionshould therefore be construed in accordance with the appended claims andany equivalents thereof.

Engines, Components, and Logic

Certain embodiments are described herein as including logic or a numberof components, engines, or mechanisms. Engines may constitute eithersoftware engines (e.g., code embodied on a machine-readable medium) orhardware engines. A “hardware engine” is a tangible unit capable ofperforming certain operations and may be configured or arranged in acertain physical manner. In various example embodiments, one or morecomputer systems (e.g., a standalone computer system, a client computersystem, or a server computer system) or one or more hardware engines ofa computer system (e.g., a processor or a group of processors) may beconfigured by software (e.g., an application or application portion) asa hardware engine that operates to perform certain operations asdescribed herein.

In some embodiments, a hardware engine may be implemented mechanically,electronically, or any suitable combination thereof. For example, ahardware engine may include dedicated circuitry or logic that ispermanently configured to perform certain operations. For example, ahardware engine may be a special-purpose processor, such as aField-Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) or an Application SpecificIntegrated Circuit (ASIC). A hardware engine may also includeprogrammable logic or circuitry that is temporarily configured bysoftware to perform certain operations. For example, a hardware enginemay include software executed by a general-purpose processor or otherprogrammable processor. Once configured by such software, hardwareengines become specific machines (or specific components of a machine)uniquely tailored to perform the configured functions and are no longergeneral-purpose processors. It will be appreciated that the decision toimplement a hardware engine mechanically, in dedicated and permanentlyconfigured circuitry, or in temporarily configured circuitry (e.g.,configured by software) may be driven by cost and time considerations.

Accordingly, the phrase “hardware engine” should be understood toencompass a tangible entity, be that an entity that is physicallyconstructed, permanently configured (e.g., hardwired), or temporarilyconfigured (e.g., programmed) to operate in a certain manner or toperform certain operations described herein. As used herein,“hardware-implemented engine” refers to a hardware engine. Consideringembodiments in which hardware engines are temporarily configured (e.g.,programmed), each of the hardware engines need not be configured orinstantiated at any one instance in time. For example, where a hardwareengine comprises a general-purpose processor configured by software tobecome a special-purpose processor, the general-purpose processor may beconfigured as respectively different special-purpose processors (e.g.,comprising different hardware engines) at different times. Softwareaccordingly configures a particular processor or processors, forexample, to constitute a particular hardware engine at one instance oftime and to constitute a different hardware engine at a differentinstance of time.

Hardware engines can provide information to, and receive informationfrom, other hardware engines. Accordingly, the described hardwareengines may be regarded as being communicatively coupled. Where multiplehardware engines exist contemporaneously, communications may be achievedthrough signal transmission (e.g., over appropriate circuits and buses)between or among two or more of the hardware engines. In embodiments inwhich multiple hardware engines are configured or instantiated atdifferent times, communications between such hardware engines may beachieved, for example, through the storage and retrieval of informationin memory structures to which the multiple hardware engines have access.For example, one hardware engine may perform an operation and store theoutput of that operation in a memory device to which it iscommunicatively coupled. A further hardware engine may then, at a latertime, access the memory device to retrieve and process the storedoutput. Hardware engines may also initiate communications with input oroutput devices, and can operate on a resource (e.g., a collection ofinformation).

The various operations of example methods described herein may beperformed, at least partially, by one or more processors that aretemporarily configured (e.g., by software) or permanently configured toperform the relevant operations. Whether temporarily or permanentlyconfigured, such processors may constitute processor-implemented enginesthat operate to perform one or more operations or functions describedherein. As used herein, “processor-implemented engine” refers to ahardware engine implemented using one or more processors.

Similarly, the methods described herein may be at least partiallyprocessor-implemented, with a particular processor or processors beingan example of hardware. For example, at least some of the operations ofa method may be performed by one or more processors orprocessor-implemented engines. Moreover, the one or more processors mayalso operate to support performance of the relevant operations in a“cloud computing” environment or as a “software as a service” (SaaS).For example, at least some of the operations may be performed by a groupof computers (as examples of machines including processors), with theseoperations being accessible via a network (e.g., the Internet) and viaone or more appropriate interfaces (e.g., an Application ProgramInterface (API)).

The performance of certain of the operations may be distributed amongthe processors, not only residing within a single machine, but deployedacross a number of machines. In some example embodiments, the processorsor processor-implemented engines may be located in a single geographiclocation (e.g., within a home environment, an office environment, or aserver farm). In other example embodiments, the processors orprocessor-implemented engines may be distributed across a number ofgeographic locations.

Language

Throughout this specification, plural instances may implementcomponents, operations, or structures described as a single instance.Although individual operations of one or more methods are illustratedand described as separate operations, one or more of the individualoperations may be performed concurrently, and nothing requires that theoperations be performed in the order illustrated. Structures andfunctionality presented as separate components in example configurationsmay be implemented as a combined structure or component. Similarly,structures and functionality presented as a single component may beimplemented as separate components. These and other variations,modifications, additions, and improvements fall within the scope of thesubject matter herein.

Although an overview of the subject matter has been described withreference to specific example embodiments, various modifications andchanges may be made to these embodiments without departing from thebroader scope of embodiments of the present disclosure. Such embodimentsof the subject matter may be referred to herein, individually orcollectively, by the term “invention” merely for convenience and withoutintending to voluntarily limit the scope of this application to anysingle disclosure or concept if more than one is, in fact, disclosed.

The embodiments illustrated herein are described in sufficient detail toenable those skilled in the art to practice the teachings disclosed.Other embodiments may be used and derived therefrom, such thatstructural and logical substitutions and changes may be made withoutdeparting from the scope of this disclosure. The Detailed Description,therefore, is not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope ofvarious embodiments is defined only by the appended claims, along withthe full range of equivalents to which such claims are entitled.

It will be appreciated that an “engine,” “system,” “data store,” and/or“database” may comprise software, hardware, firmware, and/or circuitry.In one example, one or more software programs comprising instructionscapable of being executable by a processor may perform one or more ofthe functions of the engines, data stores, databases, or systemsdescribed herein. In another example, circuitry may perform the same orsimilar functions. Alternative embodiments may comprise more, less, orfunctionally equivalent engines, systems, data stores, or databases, andstill be within the scope of present embodiments. For example, thefunctionality of the various systems, engines, data stores, and/ordatabases may be combined or divided differently.

“Open source” software is defined herein to be source code that allowsdistribution as source code as well as compiled form, with awell-publicized and indexed means of obtaining the source, optionallywith a license that allows modifications and derived works.

The data stores described herein may be any suitable structure (e.g., anactive database, a relational database, a self-referential database, atable, a matrix, an array, a flat file, a documented-oriented storagesystem, a non-relational No-SQL system, and the like), and may becloud-based or otherwise.

As used herein, the term “or” may be construed in either an inclusive orexclusive sense. Moreover, plural instances may be provided forresources, operations, or structures described herein as a singleinstance. Additionally, boundaries between various resources,operations, engines, engines, and data stores are somewhat arbitrary,and particular operations are illustrated in a context of specificillustrative configurations. Other allocations of functionality areenvisioned and may fall within a scope of various embodiments of thepresent disclosure. In general, structures and functionality presentedas separate resources in the example configurations may be implementedas a combined structure or resource. Similarly, structures andfunctionality presented as a single resource may be implemented asseparate resources. These and other variations, modifications,additions, and improvements fall within a scope of embodiments of thepresent disclosure as represented by the appended claims. Thespecification and drawings are, accordingly, to be regarded in anillustrative rather than a restrictive sense.

Conditional language, such as, among others, “can,” “could,” “might,” or“may,” unless specifically stated otherwise, or otherwise understoodwithin the context as used, is generally intended to convey that certainembodiments include, while other embodiments do not include, certainfeatures, elements and/or steps. Thus, such conditional language is notgenerally intended to imply that features, elements and/or steps are inany way required for one or more embodiments or that one or moreembodiments necessarily include logic for deciding, with or without userinput or prompting, whether these features, elements and/or steps areincluded or are to be performed in any particular embodiment.

Although the invention has been described in detail for the purpose ofillustration based on what is currently considered to be the mostpractical and preferred implementations, it is to be understood thatsuch detail is solely for that purpose and that the invention is notlimited to the disclosed implementations, but, on the contrary, isintended to cover modifications and equivalent arrangements that arewithin the spirit and scope of the appended claims. For example, it isto be understood that the present invention contemplates that, to theextent possible, one or more features of any embodiment can be combinedwith one or more features of any other embodiment.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A system comprising: one or moreprocessors; and memory storing instructions that, when executed by theone or more processors, cause the system to perform: generating amulti-level board user interface comprising a plurality of boards atdifferent display levels, the plurality of boards comprising (i) anobject board at a first display level and (ii) a plurality of operationboards each at a different second display level, wherein the objectboard corresponds to a first object type of a plurality of object typescomprising a patient object type, a treatment object type, and adiagnosis object type, wherein the object board is connected, via afirst inter-board path, to a first operation board of the plurality ofoperation boards, wherein each of the plurality of operation boards,other than a last operation board, is connected, via a secondinter-board path, to a next operation board of the plurality ofoperation boards, wherein an input object type of the first operationboard comprises the first object type, wherein an output object type ofeach of the plurality of operation boards is an input object type of thenext operation board, wherein the plurality of operation boardscorresponds to a plurality of operations, wherein the plurality ofoperations comprises a filter operation, a switch operation, and anenrich operation, wherein the plurality of operation boards comprises afilter operation board, an enrich operation board, and a switchoperation board, wherein the filter operation board comprises one ormore filter elements connected, via one or more intra-filter operationboard paths, by one or more logic operations, wherein the input type ofthe filter operation board and the output type of the filter operationboard are identical, wherein the switch operation board comprises (i) afirst switch element representing the input object type of the switchoperation board and (ii) a second switch element representing the outputobject type of the switch operation, wherein the first switch elementand the second switch element are connected by a switch link element,via an intra-switch operation board path, representing a switchrelationship between the input object type of the switch operation boardand the output object type of the switch operation, and wherein theenrich operation board comprises (i) a first enrich element representingthe input object type of the enrich operation board, (ii) a secondenrich element representing a second object type of the plurality ofobject types, or a combination thereof, and (iii) a third enrich elementrepresenting the output object type of the enrich operation board, theoutput object type of the enrich operation board comprising a virtualobject type representing a combination of the input object type of theenrich operation board and the second object type, wherein the firstenrich element and the second enrich element are connected, via a firstintra-enrich operation board path, by an enriching link elementrepresenting an enrich relationship between the input object type of theenrich operation board and the output object type of the enrichoperation board, and wherein the first enrich element is connected, viaa second intra-enrich operation board path, to the third enrich element;and displaying the multi-level board user interface.
 2. The system ofclaim 1, wherein: the object board comprises an object board body; oreach of the plurality of operation boards comprises an operation boardheader, an operation board body, and an operation board footer.
 3. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein the multi-level board user interfacecomprises the object board and second operation boards of the pluralityof operation boards that are arranged vertically.
 4. The system of claim1, wherein the instructions, when executed by the one or moreprocessors, cause the system to perform: receiving a user selection ofthe first object type.
 5. The system of claim 1, wherein theinstructions, when executed by the one or more processors, cause thesystem to perform: receiving a user selection of each of the pluralityof operations corresponding to the plurality of operation boards.
 6. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein the instructions, when executed by the one ormore processors, cause the system to perform: generating an initial userinterface comprising (i) the object board at the first display levelconnected to (ii) a plurality of selection elements at a second displaylevel, wherein the plurality of selection elements corresponds to theplurality of operations; and provide the initial user interface fordisplay to at least one device.
 7. The system of claim 1, wherein theinstructions, when executed by the one or more processors, cause thesystem to perform: receiving a user selection of the output object typeof the switch operation board; determining a plurality of switchrelationships compatible with the input object type of the switchoperation board and the output object type of the switch operation; andreceiving a user selection of the switch relationship of the pluralityof switch relationships.
 8. The system of claim 1, wherein theinstructions, when executed by the one or more processors, cause thesystem to perform: receiving a user selection of the enrichrelationship; determining a plurality of second object types compatiblewith the input object type of the enrich operation board and the enrichrelationship; and receiving a user selection of the second object typeof the plurality of second object types.
 9. The system of claim 1,wherein the instructions, when executed by the one or more processors,cause the system to perform: receiving an invalid user input withrespect to a first element in an operation board of the plurality ofoperation boards; generating an error user interface comprising an errormessage adjacent to, or overlapping, the first element in the operationboard, wherein the first element of the operation board is not connectedto a second element in the operation board, via a first intra-board pathof the operation board, and/or a next operation board of the operationboard, via a second intra-board path of the operation board; and causingto display the third user interface.
 10. The system of claim 1, whereinthe instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, cause thesystem to perform: retrieving patient data for a plurality of patients,treatment data of the plurality of patients, and diagnosis informationassociated with the treatment data, and wherein generating themulti-level board user interface comprises generating the multi-levelboard user interface using the patient data, the treatment data, and thediagnosis information.
 11. The system of claim 1, wherein theinstructions, when executed by the one or more processors, cause thesystem to perform: adding the output object type of the enrich operationcomprising the virtual object type to the plurality of object types. 12.The system of claim 1, wherein the instructions, when executed by theone or more processors, cause the system to perform: generating atemplate comprising relationships between and within the object boardand the plurality of operation boards.
 13. The system of claim 1,wherein the instructions, when executed by the one or more processors,cause the system to perform: generating an output file comprising (i)relationships between and within the object board and the plurality ofoperation boards and (ii) data associated with the patient object type,the retreatment object type, and the diagnosis object type.
 14. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein the plurality of objects, the plurality ofoperations, the inter-board paths, and the intra-board paths representan ontology.
 15. The system of claim 1, wherein a combination of theinter-board paths and the intra-board paths represent a path from thefirst object type to the output object type of a last board of theplurality of boards.
 16. A method comprising: generating a multi-levelboard user interface comprising a plurality of boards at differentdisplay levels, the plurality of boards comprising (i) an object boardat a first display level and (ii) a plurality of operation boards eachat a different second display level, wherein the object boardcorresponds to a first object type of a plurality of object typescomprising a patient object type, a treatment object type, and adiagnosis object type, wherein the object board is connected, via afirst inter-board path, to a first operation board of the plurality ofoperation boards, wherein each of the plurality of operation boards,other than a last operation board, is connected, via a secondinter-board path, to a next operation board of the plurality ofoperation boards, wherein an input object type of the first operationboard comprises the first object type, wherein an output object type ofeach of the plurality of operation boards is an input object type of thenext operation board, wherein the plurality of operation boardscorresponds to a plurality of operations, wherein the plurality ofoperations comprises a filter operation, a switch operation, and anenrich operation, wherein the plurality of operation boards comprises afilter operation board, an enrich operation board, and a switchoperation board, wherein the filter operation board comprises one ormore filter elements connected, via one or more intra-filter operationboard paths, by one or more logic operations, wherein the input type ofthe filter operation board and the output type of the filter operationboard are identical, wherein the switch operation board comprises (i) afirst switch element representing the input object type of the switchoperation board and (ii) a second switch element representing the outputobject type of the switch operation, wherein the first switch elementand the second switch element are connected by a switch link element,via an intra-switch operation board path, representing a switchrelationship between the input object type of the switch operation boardand the output object type of the switch operation, and wherein theenrich operation board comprises (i) a first enrich element representingthe input object type of the enrich operation board, (ii) a secondenrich element representing a second object type of the plurality ofobject types, or a combination thereof, and (iii) a third enrich elementrepresenting the output object type of the enrich operation board, theoutput object type of the enrich operation board comprising a virtualobject type representing a combination of the input object type of theenrich operation board and the second object type, wherein the firstenrich element and the second enrich element are connected, via a firstintra-enrich operation board path, by an enriching link elementrepresenting an enrich relationship between the input object type of theenrich operation board and the output object type of the enrichoperation board, and wherein the first enrich element is connected, viaa second intra-enrich operation board path, to the third enrich element;and displaying the multi-level board user interface.
 17. The method ofclaim 16, wherein: the object board comprises an object board body; oreach of the plurality of operation boards comprises an operation boardheader, an operation board body, and an operation board footer.
 18. Themethod of claim 16, wherein the multi-level board user interfacecomprises the object board and operation boards of the plurality ofoperation boards that are arranged vertically.
 19. The method of claim16, further comprising: generating an initial user interface comprising(i) the object board at the first display level connected to (ii) aplurality of selection elements at a second display level, wherein theplurality of selection elements corresponds to the plurality ofoperations; and providing the initial user interface for display to atleast one device.
 20. A non-transitory computer-readable storage mediumincluding instructions that, when executed by at least one processor ofa computing system, cause the computing system to perform a methodcomprising: generating a multi-level board user interface comprising aplurality of boards at different display levels, the plurality of boardscomprising (i) an object board at a first display level and (ii) aplurality of operation boards each at a different second display level,wherein the object board corresponds to a first object type of aplurality of object types comprising a patient object type, a treatmentobject type, and a diagnosis object type, wherein the object board isconnected, via a first inter-board path, to a first operation board ofthe plurality of operation boards, wherein each of the plurality ofoperation boards, other than a last operation board, is connected, via asecond inter-board path, to a next operation board of the plurality ofoperation boards, wherein an input object type of the first operationboard comprises the first object type, wherein an output object type ofeach of the plurality of operation boards is an input object type of thenext operation board, wherein the plurality of operation boardscorresponds to a plurality of operations, wherein the plurality ofoperations comprises a filter operation, a switch operation, and anenrich operation, wherein the plurality of operation boards comprises afilter operation board, an enrich operation board, and a switchoperation board, wherein the filter operation board comprises one ormore filter elements connected, via one or more intra-filter operationboard paths, by one or more logic operations, wherein the input type ofthe filter operation board and the output type of the filter operationboard are identical, wherein the switch operation board comprises (i) afirst switch element representing the input object type of the switchoperation board and (ii) a second switch element representing the outputobject type of the switch operation, wherein the first switch elementand the second switch element are connected by a switch link element,via an intra-switch operation board path, representing a switchrelationship between the input object type of the switch operation boardand the output object type of the switch operation, and wherein theenrich operation board comprises (i) a first enrich element representingthe input object type of the enrich operation board, (ii) a secondenrich element representing a second object type of the plurality ofobject types, or a combination thereof, and (iii) a third enrich elementrepresenting the output object type of the enrich operation board, theoutput object type of the enrich operation board comprising a virtualobject type representing a combination of the input object type of theenrich operation board and the second object type, wherein the firstenrich element and the second enrich element are connected, via a firstintra-enrich operation board path, by an enriching link elementrepresenting an enrich relationship between the input object type of theenrich operation board and the output object type of the enrichoperation board, and wherein the first enrich element is connected, viaa second intra-enrich operation board path, to the third enrich element;and displaying the multi-level board user interface.